One of the things that I enjoy about doing the ICQ podcast is that I always seem to learn something new. What I learned today, is that some amateurs in IARU Region 1 have access to the 8-meter band.
8 meters?? Apparently, amateurs in Lithuania, Slovenia, Ireland, Denmark, and South Africa now have privileges in the 8-meter amateur radio band, which spans 40.66–40.7 MHz. EI7GL has blogged fairly extensively about operations in the 8-meter band, including:
- First contact on 40 MHz between Ireland & Slovenia – 15th June 2020
- First contact on 40 MHz between Lithuania & Slovenia – 13th June 2020
- 40 MHz activity report – 18th May 2020
- Reception reports of the EI1KNH 40 MHz beacon – 17th May 2020
One of the questions I had was what equipment is available for 8 meters. The answer is that EI4GNB is using a modified Icom IC-7100 and a 2-element quad antenna.
I wonder if anyone here in the U.S. has tried to hear these stations. I would think that when 6 meters is open to Europe, some of the beacons, at least, would be audible.
My friend Michi, KU3N has been trying to get us an 8m allocation here. It is an interesting band and would be welcome for experimenters.
N2RJ what is the way to get 8m license for experimenting ?
Greetings and felicitations from Saskatchewan. Is there any news on the American 8 meter band? There are some Canadians trying for and 8 meter allocation, as well. However, I question this since few use 6 meters, here.
Hi
We were allocated a small part of the 8m band
I listened and looked for those 2 stations on FT8 from Lithuania and Slovenia sofar nothing… but still listening and looking
73 from Port Elizabeth Eastern Cape of South Africa
De Zs2ec Theunis
I recently obtained an experimental license in the US WL2XUP for operation on 40.66-40.7Mhz as well as 72.1-72.225Mhz. I am yet to get operational due to radio issues with these bands. Quite frankly I was expecting a hard NO from the FCC.
How hard was it to get that ticket? I’m on the Oregon coast and it would be interesting to see how good coast-to-coast propagation is on 40 and 72 MHz. My email is [email protected] if you want to contact me that way.
73
Would you be willing to share your FCC application?
Jim
WA1GPO
For many years now the SNOTEL meteor scatter data system has been operating in the west with the main transmitter at 40.670 MHz in Boise, ID. We’ve used it as a propagation beacon for decades often heard during cycle peaks on the east coast and a sporadic E indicator in the summer. Find it surprising that the FCC would permit transmissions around this important system that could interfere.
Randy,
The frequency range is Industrial Scientific and Medial ISM and has a must accept interference clause in it’s use. My guess is that they have such redundancy in the signals an intermittent transmission will not cause much harm to this system. That said I am working with them and using the lower edge of the ISM band as possible. to avoid interference. Data emissions are 50Hz wide. SSB emissions would only be conducted if no SNOTEL signal is detected.
I have a recording of Snotel pounding into ZL. Prob around 2016.. 8m wspr band gaining momentum here and VK. zl2who
The old Yaesu FT-650 can be easily be modded to at least receive between 10 and 6 meters. I just don’t know if it can TX there. Looking to buy one to add to my collection of early 1990’s Yaesu base transceivers.
walkie talkies from the 80s can be modded. they ran on 49 mhz. just replicate the circuit with some vfo changes. And with the DDs technology, it will add all band all modes to it.
Cbs can be made to operate on these frequencies. what 14 mhz to jump to band? yea change crystal or rip the front end out,put in a DDS with arduino,etc and you have an all band 8 meter transceiver for less than $100. buy one with ssb and fm capabilites..
Remember,we are amateur radio ops with a big big history of building,modding,designing.
73
David
ac9xh
I receive strong digital signals today from Europe on 40.680 I heard S57A S50B and EI4GNB most where better than -5 on ft8 and I was using an icom 7300 and a six element 6 meter ant..
Seems there are about 6 experimental 40 Mhz calls. Just applied for my experimental call also. Will be running on a vertical with probably 50 watts with an Icom IC-7100. Will be using a CW beacon for now.
Thanks for the page here.
How do you get the experimwntal callsign for 8 meters?
Bob, could you please send me an email at [email protected] as I am interested in getting an application for 8 meters.
Thanks in advance for your help. Joe W8GEX
In Norway some HAMs are pushing on to get an allocation, so I would not be surprised if we get permit in 2024 or 2025 since we already have unusually wide allocations on all other bands like eg 60m, 12m and 4m. 8m is a great band and listening there we can hear DX outside Europe quite frequently.
Here’s something curious: according to the FCC advanced license search, not only is the SNOTEL system sno more, there are no active licenses from 40.00 to 41.98 MHz. Perhaps the FCC is laying the groundwork for a new amateur allocation? There are plenty of users still on low band, for those who were told that no one was using it.
Since beginning of September 2024 the Italian Regulatory Authority (MIMIT) allowed the usage of 8 meters band to ALL Italian hams, on a temporary basis till Dec.31, 2024, with good chances for a permanent allocation.
Allowed band is 40,660 through 40,700 with up to 10 W power and “stop button” approach, i.e. in case one ham has percieved or real case of disturb or noise to other services, immediately stop emission.